Topical Bible: Envy: Philistines, of Isaac

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In the biblical narrative, envy is a recurring theme that often leads to conflict and strife. One notable instance of envy is found in the relationship between the Philistines and Isaac, the son of Abraham. This account is detailed in the Book of Genesis, where the Philistines' envy of Isaac's prosperity becomes a significant point of tension.

Biblical Context

Isaac, the son of Abraham and Sarah, was a patriarch of the Israelite people. After settling in the region of Gerar during a time of famine, Isaac experienced God's blessing, which resulted in substantial wealth and prosperity. Genesis 26:12-14 states, "Isaac sowed seed in that land, and that year he reaped a hundredfold. The LORD blessed him, and he became richer and richer, until he was exceedingly wealthy. He owned so many flocks and herds and servants that the Philistines envied him."

Philistines' Envy

The Philistines, who inhabited the land of Gerar, observed Isaac's growing wealth and influence with increasing jealousy. Their envy was not merely a passive feeling but manifested in actions intended to undermine Isaac's success. Genesis 26:15 records, "So all the wells that his father’s servants had dug in the days of his father Abraham, the Philistines stopped up, filling them with dirt."

The act of stopping up the wells was significant, as water was a crucial resource in the arid region. By filling the wells with dirt, the Philistines sought to diminish Isaac's ability to sustain his flocks and herds, thereby curtailing his prosperity. This act of sabotage highlights the destructive nature of envy, which can lead individuals to harm others in an attempt to alleviate their own feelings of inadequacy or resentment.

Isaac's Response

Isaac's response to the Philistines' envy and hostility is noteworthy. Rather than retaliating or engaging in conflict, Isaac chose to move away and dig new wells. Genesis 26:17-18 states, "So Isaac left that place and encamped in the Valley of Gerar and settled there. And Isaac reopened the wells that had been dug in the days of his father Abraham, which the Philistines had stopped up after Abraham’s death, and he gave them the same names his father had given them."

Isaac's actions demonstrate a commitment to peace and perseverance. By reopening the wells and continuing to trust in God's provision, Isaac exemplified a reliance on divine blessing rather than human conflict. His response serves as a model of how to handle envy and opposition with grace and faith.

Theological Implications

The account of the Philistines' envy of Isaac underscores the biblical teaching that envy is a destructive force that can lead to strife and division. It also illustrates the principle that God's blessings are not limited by human actions or intentions. Despite the Philistines' attempts to hinder Isaac, God's favor continued to rest upon him, allowing him to thrive even in the face of adversity.

This narrative invites reflection on the nature of envy and the importance of trusting in God's provision. It challenges believers to respond to envy and opposition with patience, faith, and a commitment to peace, trusting that God's purposes will ultimately prevail.

Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 26:14
For he had possession of flocks, and possession of herds, and great store of servants: and the Philistines envied him.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The First Apostle of Peace at any Price
... The Philistines' envy was very natural, since Isaac was an alien, and, in
some sense, an intruder. Their stopping of the wells was ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the first apostle of peace.htm

Chapter xxvi
... of 1. envy 2. summons, 1. envy, 2. spite 3. summons. In this latter case 2., 3.
make a good sequence, for when the Philistines have done Isaac wrong, the king ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxvi.htm

"Thou Art Now the Blessed of the Lord. "
... Now, while these Philistines saw that God blessed Isaac, they nevertheless ... it is
that men, who do not care to be blessed of God themselves, envy them who ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/thou art now the blessed.htm

Chapter xxi
... Unbelief, envy, pride of carnal superiority, were the causes of ... essential to a proper
understanding of Isaac's experiences with the Philistines, As usual ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxi.htm

The Antiquities of the Jews
... CHAPTER 1. How Esau And Jacob, Isaac's Sons Divided ... Great Actions Were Performed
Against The Philistines By David ... How Herod Upon The Jews' Envy At Antipater Was ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/the antiquities of the jews/

Hearken and Look; Or, Encouragement for Believers
... The Philistines had still triumphed over the land if the ... is fondled by his grandsire,
and thus must Isaac have been ... to such a stripping we may yet envy thee as ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 27 1881/hearken and look or encouragement.htm

The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs.
... The Canaanites, Philistines (Kappadokes), and Hittites shall perish; peace ... God; but
was guilty of envy and malice in ... sun and moon stood still; Isaac called his ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the testaments of the twelve.htm

Persecution Every Christian's Lot
... How was Isaac mocked by the son of the bond ... to approve their way, yet pride and envy
make them ... is fallen into the unhallowed hands of uncircumcised Philistines. ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/persecution every christians lot.htm

Abraham, his Trial in Egypt; his Humility
... 309; his sending for a wife for Isaac typical, [15 ... submissive to the false apostles,
[375]393; envy the root ... 443]317; turned to flight the Philistines, [444]320 ...
/.../abraham his trial in egypt.htm

Here Next Followeth the History of Moses
... put them to affliction, scorning and having envy at them ... the Lord God that appeared
to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob ... not the right way by the Philistines, but our ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/here next followeth the history.htm